The English Workout

Why do we go to the gym? Obviously it would be nice to have a flat stomach, but mostly we go to stay in shape: to keep our heart, knees and back working well enough to keep up with our kids for a few more years.

We go to the gym, we work out, then we feel good about ourselves, happy we made the effort.

Reasons for exercising 2024/25

Exercise your English

I offer another type of workout – the English workout. It's a one-hour class designed to practise and improve your English skills. In many ways it’s like going to the gym. I am the personal trainer designing a class to make you stronger (or speak faster).

It’s great fun (mostly). We have a good time, but at the end of the class you feel like you’ve had a workout. You’re happy and you’ve exercised your English skills and improved your fluency, confidence, vocabulary and pronunciation: a really constructive use of your time.

As they say about languages, Use it or lose it.

This type of class is very useful for many Finnish students. When you already have most of the English skills you need, but you would benefit from regular practice, usually once a week. As they say about languages, Use it or lose it.

But you don’t need to commit to intensive courses that are difficult to find time for; this course is about maintenance. If you prefer, I won’t even give you any homework.

The benefits of a regular workout class:

• Feel good about yourself. Like when you go to the gym. I practised English today; today was a good day.

• Activate your mind. Previous studies have shown that people who are bilingual show symptoms of Alzheimer's later than people who speak just one language – around a 4.5-year delay.

• Don’t lose a skill it’s taken years to learn.

• Stop thinking (for a bit) about work, family, bills, the environment, etc.

• Have fun. Get to make a new friend. Me.

  
  

My typical workout class will follow a similar pattern to the gym.

1. Warm up with some gentle conversation / pronunciation practice / past vocabulary quiz

2. Discuss familiar topics

3. Move onto less familiar topics

4. 2-minute monologues / speed reading

5. Abstract topics

6. Warm down with gentle conversation
   

And we keep a record of any new vocabulary / pronunciation that comes up, so we can practise it.

The English Workout, figuratively.

Flexible

It’s also very flexible. We can do it once a week, twice a month, or whatever fits your schedule. We can do it face to face in your office, your home or online.

We can even mix it up. One week face to face, one week online. Online classes especially can be rescheduled without much problem.

I’ve used this style of class with many students, and it’s been a great success. One retail manager continued for over two years!

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, click here. We can organise a chat, free of charge, no commitment, and I can explain more.